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Oliver Kazunga
Senior Business Reporter
INVICTUS Energy has awarded well services contracts for its second exploration well, Mukuy-2, drilling programme in the Cabora Bassa Basin region, north of Zimbabwe, to four international companies ahead of drilling in the third quarter this year.
Well servicing encompasses all the work on an oil well after drilling until capping. This includes maintenance and repairs on the well’s structure or components to allow safe production after drilling.
The Australian-headquartered firm, which is exploring for oil and gas in the Cabora Bassa Basin, Mashonaland Central province, recently announced the results of mudgas analysis for its Mukuyu-1 exploration well, which confirmed the definite presence of hydrocarbons in line with the company’s geological modeling.
While results from the earlier drilling were encouraging, Invictus could not draw a sample as required by its listing requirements to declare a commercial discovery.
The results indicated the prospective site holds the potential for more than 20 trillion cubic feet of oil barrels and condensate, which would have a far-reaching economic impact on Zimbabwe.
The successful discovery of oil and gas would make Zimbabwe energy self-sufficient, create employment, promote economic growth and development on account of the significant potential for value chain linkages.
Following the completion of an extensive tendering process, Invictus in a statement said it has awarded contracts for well services to several leading international oilfield service providers for the drilling of the Mukuyu-2 well.
“SLB (previously known as Schlumberger) has been awarded the open-hole wireline logging contract, Geolog International has been awarded the mudlogging contract, while Baker Hughes in combination with NOV have been awarded the directional drilling and logging while drilling (LWD) contracts.
“The remainder of the services, including cementing, drilling fluids and mud engineering, tubular running, fishing and abandonment, liner hangers, reservoir technical services and project management have been retained by Baker Hughes,” said Invictus.
Invictus said preparation of tools and services will commence for mobilisation of outstanding equipment to Zimbabwe while maintenance of equipment retained at Invictus’ supply base in Harare from the previous drilling campaign has commenced in preparation for mobilisation.
This follows completion of the move of Rig 202 to the Mukuyu-2 wellsite.
“Following the award of well services contracts and mobilisation of equipment, Mukuyu-2 remains on track to spud in Q3.
“Mukuyu-2 will test multiple stacked targets within the greater Mukuyu structure with the aim of confirming a commercial discovery,” said the company.
Invictus Energy managing director Mr Scott Macmillan was quoted as saying: “The award of multiple well services contracts to international service companies for the Mukuyu-2 well marks another significant milestone for the company as we prepare to follow up our highly successful basin opening Mukuyu-1/ST-1 well.
“Invictus has enlisted multiple service providers for the drilling of Mukuyu-2 as it allows us to leverage their unique expertise and experience in different areas to ensure safe and efficient drilling and well operations, while increasing the chances of meeting all key objectives of the well.”
He said the aim of the upcoming campaign is to build upon the success of the Mukuyu-1/ST-1 well and confirm a commercial discovery, putting Invictus on a pathway to development.
“The planned maintenance program for the Exalo 202 rig has been completed and we remain on schedule to spud in the third quarter of CY23.
“Mukuyu-1/ST1 has already confirmed the presence of light oil, gas and helium, de-risking drilling in the frontier Cabora Bassa basin and Mukuyu-2 is the next step to unlocking this potentially significant resource,” said Mr Macmillan.
The Australian firm, which has offices in Harare is opening one of the last untested large frontier rift basins in onshore Africa – the Cabora Bassa Basin – in northern Zimbabwe through a high impact exploration programme.
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